American Airlines will start new nonstop flights to Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey this winter marking the first time the airline has operated in Hailey.
According to a post from American Airlines’ newsroom, it will bring in direct flights from Chicago, Illinois (ORD) and Phoenix, Arizona (PHX). These airports will provide one-stop flights from over 150 locations across the country to the Wood River Valley.
The flights will begin on Dec. 18 and end service on April 6, with the Chicago flight operating daily during that period. The Phoenix flight will run daily during that period as well, though it will be temporarily reduced in frequency to five times per week Jan. 6 through Feb. 11.
Visit Sun Valley Executive Director Ray Gadd said he is excited to see how the flights attract a new base of visitors from the Midwest and the East Coast. He also said that Phoenix is a brand new market for the valley.
“There is a smaller concentration of skiers in that area versus other markets but it is a major hub for [American Airlines] with great connectivity to many southern cities in the US, plus Mexico and Central and South America,” he said.
Gadd said the flights will also open up more opportunity for locals to travel outside the valley into warm weather areas, such as Phoenix, Central America and South America if they tire of the snow.
The routes coming directly from Chicago and Phoenix will be flown in Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft.
Airport Director Timothy Burke said the Bombardier CRJ700 is a reliable aircraft. However, it does not support the same GPS-based precision as the modern Embraer E175 regional jet, the aircraft used by Alaska Airlines, United and Delta.
“As a result, landings in poor weather will require higher minimums—visibility of at least three miles and a cloud ceiling no lower than 1,631 feet above ground level,” Burke said.
In response to a request for comment on the jets, an American Airlines spokesperson stated, “American offers the most nationwide connectivity of any U.S. airline, and we are thrilled to add Sun Valley to our growing list of destinations.
“We are focused on giving our customers the most options to plan the perfect winter getaway to popular outdoor destinations.”
Tickets for these upcoming seasonal flights will be available for purchase starting June 30 at aa.com and on the airline’s mobile app. 
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Weird to use a photo of a billionaire getting on their Gulfstream for this particular article.
More airport expansion to bring in more tourists to fill up the airbnbs that Bradshaw has jammed into the FLUM for Ketchum's comp plan. And locals get taxed to subsidize all of this. If you think Ketchum is bad now, just wait to see the fruits of their labors.
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